Military Members & Their Families

As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, I understand the sacrifices military families make daily. I have committed myself to veterans’ initiatives and want to do more to support military families.

My older siblings had the privilege of knowing our father as a warm, dedicated man who lit up a room. But then came Vietnam, my father was sent to war, and I was born. When my father returned, he was no longer the man they knew. My parents split, my family suffered, and after struggling for so long, my father died way too young.

This is the reality for countless veterans and their families. Some return home altered in ways we cannot fathom, forever changed by the horrors they witnessed. They bear the burden of their sacrifice.

I am eternally thankful that there is now more support available for veterans than there once was. Yet, I know there is more to be done. We owe it to them to ensure they receive the care and resources they so desperately need. And let us not forget their families, who endure their own silent battles, often unseen and unacknowledged. In Congress, I vow to work for a better future for our veterans and their families.

Borders & Immigration

In 2010, despite my qualifications, I struggled to secure a decent-paying job in Louisiana. Faced with the responsibility of providing a better life for my daughter, I made the daunting decision to uproot my life and move to Texas, guided solely by faith. My journey taught me firsthand the sacrifices people make to seek opportunities for their families’ well-being.

As I settled into my role as a teacher in Texas, I encountered students who had arrived in this country at a young age. For them, America is home, the only place they’ve ever known. It’s crucial that we provide them with a pathway to citizenship and acknowledge their significant contributions to our society. Those who come here seeking employment should have the opportunity to pay taxes and fully integrate into our communities.

Striking a balance between the need for border security and compassion is crucial. We must invest in increased border security measures and resources to expedite immigration case processing. It’s not about advocating for open borders but about treating those seeking refuge and opportunity with the dignity and respect they deserve. This approach allows us to uphold our values as a nation of compassion and opportunity.

Affordability Crisis

When I graduated from college, I was a teacher and could live independently in an apartment. I paid for my car, fed myself, traveled, and pursued my interests. However, over time, I’ve noticed a troubling trend—wages have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living. People want to blame Biden for that. Well, you can’t. You can’t blame the President or the government. That is the free market.

Corporations, driven by their pursuit of record profits, regularly increase prices, burdening everyday consumers like us. This reality weighs heavily on me, my daughter, and her peers, who work tirelessly to afford necessities, from food to car payments, in a world where financial stability feels increasingly out of reach. More and more, young Americans are choosing not to have children and are priced out of owning homes. They can’t afford the American Dream. We’ve got to do better for them.

The American Economy

I moved to Texas to find better opportunities for my daughter. I’ve stayed at jobs I didn’t like so I could provide for my family. I know Americans do what it takes to find work and make ends meet. This country has remained an economic powerhouse, but the middle class isn’t seeing the benefit of our sustained success. The economy should improve the lives of all hardworking Americans, not just some. Congress can create opportunities to expand American manufacturing, job training, and skill development for workers to build and maintain the American healthcare system and our infrastructure. We need to invest in our people.

Healthcare

The Affordable Care Act became a lifeline for my family when, in March 2015, my daughter was diagnosed with Dysautonomia, a disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system. At the time, I was quasi-self-employed, and without the insurance I purchased through the marketplace, the financial strain would have been overwhelming. Witnessing her go from dancing for hours one night to struggling to walk the next day was a terrifying experience.

Reflecting on those difficult times, I realize how many other families must face similar challenges. That’s why it’s crucial to safeguard the Affordable Care Act. We must ensure that every hardworking individual can access affordable coverage for themselves and their loved ones, especially during illness or crisis. Increasing subsidies can make a real difference in the lives of countless families, offering them peace of mind and the support they need to navigate difficult times with dignity and security.

I’m running for Congress to increase access to health care and protect the Affordable Care Act.

Voting Rights

My commitment to safeguarding voting rights runs deep. It is rooted in the powerful legacy of my grandmother, born in 1905 when many were denied the fundamental right to vote. I vividly recall accompanying my mother as a child to ensure my grandmother and her friends could exercise their hard-won right to vote. It didn’t matter the weather or the lines. Their unwavering dedication left an indelible mark on me, igniting a spark for advocacy that drives me to this day.

As an attorney, I’ve dedicated myself to defending voters’ rights. I’ve proudly volunteered for organizations like the Legal Rapid Response Network with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and the AKA/NBA Election Protection. Additionally, I’ve served as a poll watcher, standing vigilant to ensure that every eligible voter can cast their ballot freely and without hindrance. This work isn’t just a professional obligation—it’s a deeply personal mission fueled by the resilience and determination of those who fought for the right to vote before us.

Reproductive Rights

The overturning of Roe v. Wade was the final straw for me. I felt helpless and violated. A right had been taken away from me. I now live in a time where my daughter has fewer rights than I did when I was her age. I decided that the days of women standing silently by while men make decisions over our reproductive rights are over. This is one of the reasons why I am running for Congress: to restore women’s bodily autonomy.

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Reproductive Rights'
This is a top priority of mine. Reproductive rights are fundamental aspects of human rights. Ensuring access to reproductive healthcare services, which include contraception, prenatal care, and safe abortion, is essential for women’s health and well-being. Reproductive Rights is not just an abortion issue. It is about bodily autonomy. A woman should have the right to control what happens to her body. Being Pro-Choice does not equate to Anti-Life. Being Pro-Choice means that a woman has a right to choose and have access to safe and legal abortion services. The decision to end a pregnancy is not a decision that a woman enters lightly. And in the case of a medically necessary abortion, the woman and her doctor should make that decision, not the courts and not legislators.

Healthcare
We must protect the Affordable Care Act. The ACA addresses health insurance coverage, health care costs, and preventive care. Three of the most important features of the ACA are 1) prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions, 2) allowing young adults to stay on their parent’s insurance until age 26, and 3) expanding the Medicaid program. This has led to more people being covered by health insurance.

Voting Rights
As an attorney, I have worked to protect voter’s rights. I volunteered for the Legal Rapid Response Network with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and the AKA/NBA Election Protection. Additionally, I’ve volunteered as a poll watcher. My grandmother was born in 1905. She knew what it was like not to have the right to vote. As a little girl, I went with my mother to take my grandmother and her friends to vote. It didn’t matter how cold or wet it was; they always voted. This left a lifelong impression on me and drives my advocacy.

Veterans & Their Families
Veterans often have unique healthcare needs resulting from their service, including physical injuries, mental health issues, and exposure to environmental hazards. Families of veterans also play a crucial role in the overall well-being of veterans. Support programs that address the unique challenges faced by military families are essential. Most programs focus on the veteran without appreciating military families' sacrifices. As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, I understand the sacrifices. I have committed myself to Veterans initiatives and want to do more to support military families.

Immigration Reform
Immigration reform centers on finding a balanced and comprehensive approach to addressing various aspects of the immigration system. As residents of a border state, we see the crisis firsthand. Border security must be a priority. But we must balance the need for effective border security with facilitating the flow of legal immigration. There must be a pathway to citizenship, and everyone should be treated with humanity and respect.

LGBTQIA+ Rights
LGBTQIA+ rights have seen significant progress over the years, but challenges and disparities still exist. These occur in healthcare access, adoption rights, parenting rights, transgender rights, and transgender protections. LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights issues.^[4]

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